NORTHPORT managed to get off to a fine start in the PBA Philippine Cup because, according to coach Pido Jarencio, of the Batang Pier displaying better chemistry.
NorthPort's resolve would be severely tested anew when it takes on Meralco at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Bolts are aiming to bounce back from a sorry 71-78 loss to TNT last Saturday, cutting short the former's 2-0 start to the season-opening conference.
Following back-to-back losses that neutralized their initial two wins to the tournament, the Batang Pier are even more aching to get back on track.
Its current situation is a far cry from the Cloud 9 NorthPort was in after subduing Rain or Shine and Terrafirma its first two outings.
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"Alam na ng bawa't isa mga roles nila, kung sino dedepensa, sino i-iskor," Jarencio has said then of his crew. "Basta kami iyan na laro namin at hindi namin poproblemahin ang kalaban. Sila mamroblema sa amin."
Magnolia and Blackwater seem to have found an answer to the NorthPort puzzle, however, resulting in their respective conquest of the Batang Pier.
The loss to Magnolia was a very bitter one for NorthPort, as it took a clutch triple by Rome dela Rosa in the dying seconds before the Hotshots could carve out an 80-77 decision last Wednesday.
The loss seems to have deflated the Batang Pier's spirits as they then bowed to the Bossing via a 97-90 count four days later.
It is now incumbent upon NorthPort to find its recent fine form, more so since Meralco, with its size advantage and own built-in chemistry, should prove to be more than a handful.
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The Bolts actually engaged the Tropang Giga in a heated battle, but faded starting at about the halfway mark of the fourth period in the face of the defending champions' own tenacious stand. (NC)
